“La Prise de Constantinople”, by Robert de Clari is an excellent source dealing with the Fourth Crusade. The crusaders, led by Boniface Montferrat needed an army to attack and recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. In 1202, they made an agreement with the Venetians, led by the Doge Enrico Dandolo, an eighty five year old who was almost completely blind. The deal proposed that the Venetians prepare a crusade consisting of 4,500 horses, 4,500 knights, 9,000 squires and 20,000 foot soldiers in exchange for four marks for each knight and horse, two marks for each squire and soldier for a grand total of 94,000 marks, which was negotiated and brought down to 85,000. The crusaders fell short on their end of the deal. Many of their troops did not show up to meet with the Venetians, thus they did not have enough marks to pay them. This could have caused devastating problems between the Crusaders and the Venetians. But luckily for both parties the Doge of Venice was a phenomenal leader. The Doge, Enrico Dandolo was to thank for the success of the Crusaders and Venetians.
The Fourth Crusade
After the agreement was made, the Doge ordered all the merchants on his land to help prepare the fleet. Due to this they did not have merchants to perform everyday jobs that they usually did which effected the economy and well-being in Venice. According to the Fordham Medieval Sourcebook, “They have been waiting ever since and have gained nothing for the last year and a half; and, accordingly, they have lost much”[1] . This showed all the Venetians sacrificed in order to get this fleet together for the crusaders. They suffered a bad loss to their country. The Doge trusted the crusaders to have the money. This showed how patient and smart the Doge was. After not having the money promised after all this, it could easily have started a war between the crusaders and the Venetians. But thanks to the Doge it did not. After all the payments, Boniface Montferrat and the crusaders were able to scrape up, they were still short 36,000 marks. Enrico Dandolo proposed an interesting deal which would benefit both parties. According to the Fordham Medieval Sourcebook, which included a piece by Robert de Clari, “Sires, we have agreed, I and my people, that if you are willing to guarantee faithfully to pay us the 36,000 marks, which you owe us, out of your share of the first conquests, we will carry you across the sea."[2] . This was a genius idea by the Doge to make both sides happy, which saved conflict between the two. This made the crusaders very happy and they were very thankful for Enrico Dandolo. The Fordham University Medieval Sourcebook stated, “When the crusaders heard what the doge proposed they were very glad and fell at his feet for joy. They bound themselves very willingly to do faithfully what the doge had proposed.” This showed how successful the Doges proposal was and how it was the main reason everything worked out for the two groups.
“La Prise de Constantinople”, by Robert de Clari was an informing source. The crusaders and Venetians could have potentially had a huge problem on their hands. But the Doge of Venice, Enrico Dandolo, saved the day. With his great character and decision making, he saved the two groups from very serious conflict. The 85 year-old Doge was very important to the success of the crusaders and Venetians during the fourth crusade.
Crusaders Unable To Pay Venetians
From Mike Carr
“La Prise de Constantinople”, by Robert de Clari is an excellent source dealing with the Fourth Crusade. The crusaders, led by Boniface Montferrat needed an army to attack and recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. In 1202, they made an agreement with the Venetians, led by the Doge Enrico Dandolo, an eighty five year old who was almost completely blind. The deal proposed that the Venetians prepare a crusade consisting of 4,500 horses, 4,500 knights, 9,000 squires and 20,000 foot soldiers in exchange for four marks for each knight and horse, two marks for each squire and soldier for a grand total of 94,000 marks, which was negotiated and brought down to 85,000. The crusaders fell short on their end of the deal. Many of their troops did not show up to meet with the Venetians, thus they did not have enough marks to pay them. This could have caused devastating problems between the Crusaders and the Venetians. But luckily for both parties the Doge of Venice was a phenomenal leader. The Doge, Enrico Dandolo was to thank for the success of the Crusaders and Venetians.
After the agreement was made, the Doge ordered all the merchants on his land to help prepare the fleet. Due to this they did not have merchants to perform everyday jobs that they usually did which effected the economy and well-being in Venice. According to the Fordham Medieval Sourcebook, “They have been waiting ever since and have gained nothing for the last year and a half; and, accordingly, they have lost much”[1] . This showed all the Venetians sacrificed in order to get this fleet together for the crusaders. They suffered a bad loss to their country. The Doge trusted the crusaders to have the money. This showed how patient and smart the Doge was. After not having the money promised after all this, it could easily have started a war between the crusaders and the Venetians. But thanks to the Doge it did not. After all the payments, Boniface Montferrat and the crusaders were able to scrape up, they were still short 36,000 marks. Enrico Dandolo proposed an interesting deal which would benefit both parties. According to the Fordham Medieval Sourcebook, which included a piece by Robert de Clari, “Sires, we have agreed, I and my people, that if you are willing to guarantee faithfully to pay us the 36,000 marks, which you owe us, out of your share of the first conquests, we will carry you across the sea."[2] . This was a genius idea by the Doge to make both sides happy, which saved conflict between the two. This made the crusaders very happy and they were very thankful for Enrico Dandolo. The Fordham University Medieval Sourcebook stated, “When the crusaders heard what the doge proposed they were very glad and fell at his feet for joy. They bound themselves very willingly to do faithfully what the doge had proposed.” This showed how successful the Doges proposal was and how it was the main reason everything worked out for the two groups.
“La Prise de Constantinople”, by Robert de Clari was an informing source. The crusaders and Venetians could have potentially had a huge problem on their hands. But the Doge of Venice, Enrico Dandolo, saved the day. With his great character and decision making, he saved the two groups from very serious conflict. The 85 year-old Doge was very important to the success of the crusaders and Venetians during the fourth crusade.
https://legacy.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/clari1.asp